Glasgow 2014: The 'Weirwolf' can't wait to hear the Hampden Roar as he bids for Commonwealth glory

16:00, 18 July 2014

ByDailyrecord.co.uk

THE wheelchair racer, who won four gold medals at the Olympics two summers ago, was urged by a Glasgow taxi driver last weekend to brace himself for the volume inside Hampden Park when he bids for a first Commonwealth title.

DAVID WEIR is hoping the Hampden Roar can prove every bit as inspiring at the Commonwealth Games as the Olympic Stadium atmosphere which propelled him to London 2012 success.

The wheelchair racer, who won four gold medals in the capital two summers ago, was urged by a Glasgow taxi driver last weekend to brace himself for the volume inside Hampden Park when he bids for a first Commonwealth title.

The 35-year-old gears up for his T54 1500 metres race in Glasgow by competing over a mile on The Mall at the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games on Sunday.

He still marvels at the memories of the wall of noise which greeted him inside the Olympic Stadium at the Paralympics and is looking forward to sampling a similar atmosphere north of the border.

Weir told Press Association Sport: "The noise was just incredible.

"Usually when you race in stadiums you'll get pockets where it's a little bit quiet and usually the home straight is the loudest.

"But in the Olympic Stadium it followed you round. If you were a blind athlete you probably wouldn't have known where the home straight was. It was unreal, the sound just followed you round like a wave."

The Weirwolf, as he was became known at London 2012, got his first taste of Hampden at the Sainsbury's Glasgow Grand Prix last weekend.

He added: "Racing at an iconic stadium like Hampden Park, you've seen it on telly with the football, I couldn't wait to give it a test.

"They talk about the Hampden Roar - I got a cab back to the station and the driver said, 'Wait until you hear the Hampden Roar', so I am really looking forward to that.

"It can definitely recreate the intensity of the Olympic Stadium, I don't see why not. The track's quite close to the crowd. I think it's going to be electric and the noise gives you that little bit of speed to get across the line first."

The Mall where Weir will be racing on Sunday is also packed with fond memories, not least because that was the scene of his crowning glory at London 2012, when he took his fourth gold by winning the marathon.

"They flood back when I come up to The Mall, even if it's not for racing," he said. "Winning my fourth gold medal, winning my six London Marathons, it's been a great road for me."

Weir enjoyed a lighter year in 2013 after his Paralympic exploits, missing the IPC World Championships in Lyon, but insisted he had "the hunger back" as a result.

He has the IPC European Championships in Swansea less than a month after the Commonwealths and the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro are "definitely" in the plan.

He said he has not looked beyond that, but the World Championships in London the following year, and another taste of the iconic Stratford venue, could prove too tempting to miss.

"That's definitely been in my mind, it would be nice to race at a home Games again," Weir said.

Those decisions can come later, though. The immediate focus is on preparing to add to his medal collection.

The Anniversary Games is this year taking the form of a street athletics event and will also feature track and field events at Horse Guards Parade.

Sainsbury's sponsorship of the British Athletics summer events series reflects its wider commitment to inspiring healthy lifestyles for all, and complements grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and Sainsbury's School Games. Tickets via http://www.britishathletics.org.uk